District Financials FAQ Financials and Tax Impact
Upcoming Open Houses and Live Q&A
View the proposed projects and renderings, ask questions and take a tour of Wagner Community Center, which would be replaced if the referendum was approved. Open Houses will take place at Wagner Community Center (615 West Avenue, Elmhurst) on:
- Saturday, September 28, 10am-Noon;
- Tuesday, October 15, 10am-Noon;
- Tuesday, October 22, 6-8pm.
Executive Director Jim Rogers and Park Board President, Kevin Graf, will also be hosting a Live Q&A on Wednesday, September 25 at 6pm on Zoom. Those interested in attending, please email marketing [@] epd.org (marketing[at]epd[dot]org) for a link to the session. Questions can be sent to that email address in advance or participants can ask questions during the event.
The Elmhurst Park District Board of Park Commissioners voted unanimously to give residents the choice to fund high-priority projects identified by the community through a referendum on the November 5, 2024 ballot.
- The new community center will enable us to cater to all age groups and reduce wait lists offering year-round features such as:
- A free three-lane walking track.
- Gym space for pickleball, basketball, volleyball and other sports.
- An artificial turf field for soccer, football, baseball and other sports.
- Dedicated early childhood and preschool spaces with secure entrance.
- Larger spaces for dance and gymnastics programs.
- An indoor play area for younger children.
- Flexible multi-purpose spaces for programming and community gathering.
- New outdoor amenities also cater to all age groups and demographics and include:
- A community bandshell in Wilder Park will provide a backdrop for music or theater performances and serve as a community gathering place.
- Permanent, heated restroom in four locations (Wilder Park, Eldridge, Crestview, and along the prairie path) will give park users access to safe, clean restrooms year-round.
- A grass field at Berens Park will be converted to artificial turf to allow athletic groups to play more often.
Quick Facts
- The Wagner Community Center was built in the 1950s as an elementary school and was not designed for modern recreational needs.
- The last time the District went to referendum was 1971.
- Tax payers in Elmhurst pay just one nickel of every property tax dollar to the District.
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Bond Language
When you vote in the election this fall, you will see the following language at the ballot box:
Shall the Elmhurst Park District, DuPage and Cook Counties, Illinois, improve, equip and maintain parks and park facilities, including (a) replacing the Joanne B. Wagner Community Center by building and equipping a new community center with a walking/jogging track, courts for pickleball, basketball and volleyball, a multisport indoor artificial turf field, and space for gymnastics, dance, early childhood/preschool and other programming; (b) constructing a bandshell with year-round heated restrooms at Wilder Park; (c) constructing year-round heated restrooms at Eldridge and Crestview Parks and on parkland along the Illinois Prairie Path; and (d) converting a grass athletic field to an artificial turf field at Berens Park, and issue its bonds to the amount of $89,950,000 for the purpose of paying the costs thereof?
However, the realization of these aspirations hinges on the community’s willingness to fund them.
Despite being lauded for its financial stewardship, with consecutive accolades including the Government Finance Officers Association’s Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting and the GFOA Distinguished Budget Presentation Award, the District faces the challenge of meeting escalating community demands with limited financial resources. With a property tax rate comprising only a nickel of every dollar, the District has one of the lowest rates as compared to other park districts in DuPage County.
To learn more about this initiative please visit Elevate Elmhurst Parks.
Proposed Projects & Site Plans
Questions or comments?
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